Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Abstract: Correspondence, notes, manuscripts of his writings, speeches, memoranda, clippings and scrapbooks, mainly relating to the
Marshall Plan for water development, conservation, Hetch-Hetchy, roads, Yosemite National Park and other parks. Family correspondence
and personal papers also included.

Languages Represented:
English

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts
must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft
Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.

Hetch-Hetchy Water Supply of San Francisco. Report of . . . City Engineer to the Mayor, the Board of Public Works and the
Board of Supervisors of San Francisco. Mar. 1916.

U.S. Congress.

Public Resolution no. 27.

U.S. Congress, 72nd Congress, 2d Session.

Report B25. Feb. 28, 1933. Utilization of the Water Resources of the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Kern Rivers, California.

U.S. Congress.

Yosemite and General Grant National Parks. (An act to set apart certain land in the state of California as forest reservations)
Approved Oct. 1, 1890.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior.

Some lakes of Glacier National Park. 1912.

U.S. Dept. of the Interior.

Office of the Secretary.
(1) General information regarding Crater Lake National Park, Season of 1913.
(2) General information regarding Sequoia and General Grant National Parks, Season of 1913.
(3) General information regarding Yosemite National Park, Season of 1915.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Letter to Mayor and Supervisors of City and County of San Francisco, California. Feb. 25, 1910.

Biography

Robert Bradford Marshall, geographer and father of the Marshall Plan for irrigation and water conservation of the Central
Valley in California, was born in Amelia County, Virginia in 1867. He entered the U.S. Geological Survey as a geographer in
1889, became Geographer of the Pacific Division in 1907 and was appointed Chief Geographer of the U.S. Geological Survey in
1910. This position he held until 1915 when he was appointed Superintendent of Parks. He resumed the position of Chief Geographer
in 1917. In 1919 he resigned his government post to devote himself fully to developing and publicizing his Marshall Plan of
irrigation and water control of the Central Valley of California. Due in part to his extensive and intensive schedule of speeches,
he developed a severe throat irritation requiring the removal of his larynx in 1927. He thereby lost power of speech and was
able to converse only with the aid of an artificial larynx. In 1928 he was appointed State Landscape Engineer in the California
Division of Public Works where his duties related to highway beautification and safety. At this time he also did considerable
research for the California State Planning Board concerning California and her natural resources. He retired at the age of
70 in 1937 and died in 1949 after several years of ill health, shortly before the completion of one of his dreams, the Shasta
Dam.

He married Myra Crow of California in 1896, and had two daughters, Evelyn Bradford Marshall (Mrs. Philip Maddox) and Virginia
Mann Marshall.

Scope and Content

This collection, given to the Bancroft Library in 1953 by Virginia Mann Marshall, consists of 23 boxes, 4 scrapbooks, 1 portfolio,
1 volume and maps.

Marshall's letters and writings show him as an enthusiastic supporter of state and national parks, intensely interested in
all phases of conservation, acutely aware of natural beauty, a crusader for public good, and an ardent geographer. He was
a man with vision and foresight -his Marshall Plan of 1919-1920 came to be the basis of the Central Valley Project of the
1930's. He constantly fought for his plan and for flood control of the Mississippi River.

Letters to Marshall, from such conservationists as William Edward Colby, John Muir, John Frederic Badh, John Nesbet Le Conte
and James Grafton Rogers, form an important part of the collection. Much of the correspondence from Hiram Martin Chittenden,
Frank Bond, H. C. Benson and the U.S. Department of the Interior relates to the early history of Yosemite as a National Park.
Letters from Charles Averil Barlow and Ed Fletcher, though chiefly concerned with private financial business, also reflect
the early workings of California water projects. Letters from the California Council for Protection of Roadside Beauty show
Marshall's interest in the beauty of highways and his battle against unsightly highway signs. Photocopies of letters from
Rudolph Spreckels, letters from Annette (Abbott) Adams, Carter and Barrett, and Paul A. McCarthy deal with Marshall's suit
against Spreckels. Many letters relate to national and state parks, the Marshall Plan, conservation, maps, and some pertain
to routine business matters such as insurance, retirement, property in Virginia, etc. Letters to and from his family demonstrate
an unusually devoted and harmonious domestic life.

Part I contains general correspondence from Marshall, mostly typed copies, arranged chronologically, from 1898-1948; letters
to Marshall, arranged alphabetically, A-Z; Marshall's writings, including notes, drafts and manuscripts; memoranda from and
to Marshall; and assorted material related to his work.

Part II consists mainly of letters from Marshall to his fiancee, Myra Crow, and to his wife, a few letters to his children
and sister-in-law; letters from Mrs. Marshall to her husband, 1898-1948; letters from daughters Evelyn and Virginia to parents;
from Evelyn (Crow) Simmons, to Mrs. Marshall; letters of condolence, tributes to R. B. Marshall, and miscellaneous personal
papers.

Material removed from the collection consists in: maps -approximately 300, quadrangles and miscellaneous with no annotations
and no specific relationship to papers, dispersed, with source noted on each; maps, approximately 175, manuscripts and printed
with manuscript notations, kept as unit; 7 photographs (Myra C. Marshall, C. C. Young and Newton B. Drury) to portrait collection;
and 17 printed items, mainly pertaining to national parks and water conservation, for separate cataloguing.

Notes, drafts, manuscripts; California State Planning Board special reports; California tours; a list of U.S. And state shield
sign route numbers and mileages; Agriculture Development in California; Resources of California; Speeches; biographical data;
California as I have seen it; John Muir.

Box VIII:

Memoranda from Marshall, 1909-1937

Memoranda to Marshall, 1915-1935

Scope and Content Note

Arranged chronologically.

Box IX:

California. Department of Public Works. Division of Water Resources. Minutes of consulting board, 1921-1922.

Scope and Content Note

(These contain statements from engineers and "promoters" in various parts of the state, discussing each area's particular
water needs, problems and projects, and the means to solve them. The purpose of the board was to gather together this information
to present to the state legislature in 1923. Include speeches by Robert Bradford Marshall, U.S. Webb, William Mulholland,
J. C. Forkner, Dan Hadsell, U.S. Grant III, John E. Raker and many others.)

Synopsis of replies to circular letter sent out by J. C. Forkner, pros and cons of Marshall Plan as applied to various regional
suggestions.

Copies of letters addressed to Forkner in answer to circular letter, relate to the water problems of the state.

Box X:

California. Department of Public Works. Division of Engineering and Irrigation. Bulletins. no. 4-6.

v.2: Reactions of the Press to Marshall Plan, 1919-1921, arranged according to counties, A-N.

v.3: Reactions of the Press to Marshall Plan, 1919-1921, arranged according to counties, O-Z.

v.4: Reactions of the Press to Marshall Plan, 1920-1921, arranged according to counties, A-Z.

volume volume:

Report to the Honorable the Secretary of the Interior of Commission appointed pursuant to act of Congress approved April 28, 1904, to investigate conditions and situations in Yosemite National Park, by Hiram Martin Chittenden, Frank Bond, and R. B. Marshall.
Concerning boundaries and the possibility of making a good road to the park.

Part II:

Letters from Marshall to Myra Crow, fiancée, 1896, and to wife, 1897-1927, arranged chronologically, and a few letters to Evelyn Bradford Marshall, daughter, and Evelyn (Crow) Simmons, sister-in-law.

Box II:

Letters to Marshall from wife, 1898-1907, arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Letters from Almon Harris Thompson included with Mrs. Marshall's of July 29, Aug. 8, 1899. Letter of Sept. 18, 1906 refers
to Mary Austin. Letter from Daisy Polk included with Mrs. Marshall's of July 23, 1907, has reference to Mary Austin. Letter
of Oct. 26, 1907 re Colby, Hetch-Hetchy.

Box III:

Letters to Marshall from wife, 1911-1929, arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Letter of July 13, 1913 re visit from John Muir, Hetch-Hetchy. Letter of August 3, 1913, re Hetch-Hetchy and James Phelan.
Letter of July 15, 1921 re Professor Bolton.

Box IV:

Letters to Marshall from wife, 1930-1948, arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Letter of April 29, 1933 re Hiram W. Johnson, Merriam, C. C. Young and Rolph running for Governor of California. Letter of
June 14, 1935 re William Edward Colby. Miscellaneous from Mrs. Marshall. A few snapshots of children.

Correspondence to Mrs. Marshall, mainly letters from her sister, Evelyn (Crow) Simmons. Also 7 letters form A. L. Evans, and
a few from Estelle Post, and one from Almon Harris Thompson. Letters of condolence re Marshall's death, include letter from
Earl Warren, Amy (Requa) Long Mitten, Isabelle F. Story. Tributes to Robert Bradford Marshall include copy of Chet Huntley's
radio broadcast of April 13, 1949, Earl Warren's speech to Commonwealth Club, of Sept. 23, 1949, and California Legislature
Resolution no. 278.

41 letters, 1904-1914. Include letters to Hiram Martin Chittenden. Mainly written as Commissioner to examine Yosemite National Park lands, concerning
topography and the park boundary.

California. Department of Natural Resources. Division of Parks.

17 letters, 1928-1938. Mainly concerning state parks. Include copy of letter to C. H. Purcell and copy of letter from William Edward Colby to Governor
Young. Some letters written by Frederick Law Olmsted.

40 letters, 1928-1936. Include copies of letters to California State Planning Board, Frederick Law Olmsted, California Council for the Protection
of Roadside Beauty, and responses to circular requesting suggestions for state parks.

11 letters, 1924. Concerning Marshall's role in the 1924 campaign for the Water and Power Act. References to Rudolph Spreckels. Written by Franklin
Hichborn, b. 1869.

Canadian Camp

4 letters, 1911. Written by G. Lenox Curtis.

Carter and Barrett (Firm)

5 letters, 1936-1937. Concern suit of Marshall vs. Spreckels.

Chamberlain, Allen, 1867-

4 letters, 1912-1916

Chapin, William Wallace, 1874-1957

3 letters, 1927-1930

Chittenden, Hiram Martin, 1858-1915

31 letters, 1904-1912. Mainly relate to Yosemite National Park boundaries and legislation. Include copies of letters to James Carson Needham, Frank
Bond and others, concerning Yosemite; also copy of letter from Frank Bond to Chittenden.

Church, Denver Samuel, 1866-1952

2 letters, 1915-1930

Colby, William Edward, 1875-

24 letters, 1904-1931. Include copies of letters to Franklin Knight Lane, W. F. McClure, Hiram Martin Chittenden; mimeographed letter to Governor
Rolph. Some letters written as Secretary of the Sierra Club concerning Hetch-Hetchy, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.
References to John Muir.
See also
California. Department of Natural Resources. Division of Parks
McFarland, John Horace

Colorado Geographic Board

2 letters, 1915. One letter signed by James Grafton Rogers.

Colorado Mountain Club
see Rogers, James Grafton

Curtis, G. Lenox
see Canadian Camp

Daniels, Mark, 1881-

1 letter, Aug. 11, 1935. Written as editor of California Arts and Architecture.

14 letters, 1928-1930. Include letters and copies of letters to Charles B. Wing, California Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks; B.
B. Meek, California Department of Public Works; and to Charles Henry Purcell. Several written as Secretary of Save-the-Redwoods
League and California State Parks Council.

Evans, Aaron Loyd, 1877-

5 letters, 1949. Also letter from Earl Warren to Evans.
Also seven letters, 1949-1952, to Myra (Crow) Marshall in Part II, Box VI.

Farquhar, Francis Peloubet, 1887-

1 letter, Aug. 11, 1932

Fletcher, Edward, 1872-1955

18 letters, 1927-1933. References to southern California water development plans. Include letter and copy of letter to William Schuyler Post, copies
of letter to Metropolitan Water District and their answer.

Gillett, Frederick Huntington, 1851-1935

2 letters, 1916

Glavis, Edward S.
see U.S. Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works

Gregory, Henry E.

1 letter, June 27, 1913

Hadsell, Dan

1 letter, Aug. 1, 1924

Hichborn, Franklin
see California State Water and Power League

Hoover, Herbert Clark, Pres. U.S., 1874-

2 letters, 1930-1933. Written in his behalf by secretaries.

Hopkins, Timothy, 1859-1937

1 letter, June 12, 1912

Hyatt, Edward
see California. Department of Public Works. Division of Water Resources.

Johnson, Hiram Warren, 1866-1945

1 letter, Apr. 17, 1933

Johnson, Willard D.

6 letters, 1890-1914

Jones, Herbert C.
see Progressive Voters' League of California

Keagle, Cora L.

20 letters, 1947-1949. Mainly concerning the writing and publication of Water in the Valley. Include copy of letter from George W. Cronyn to Mrs.
Keagle and letters to Mrs. Marshall.
(See Box XIII of Part I for manuscript of Water in the Valley.)

Kelly, Earl Lee
see California. Department of Public Works

Lehmer, O. W.

5 letters, 1911-1913. Relate to transportation in Yosemite.

Long, Mrs. Oscar Fitzalan
see Mitten, Amy (Requa) Long

Mitten, Amy (Requa) Long

17 letters, 1930-1948. Written as Amy (Requa) Long.
Also letter of condolence to Mrs. Marshall in Part II, Box VI.

16 letters, 1911-1915. Mainly written as President of the American Civic Association. Include autobiographical sketch and references to John Muir.
Include letter from William Edward Colby to McFarland.

McLaughlin, Frank Y.
see U.S. Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works

Martin T. H.

11 letters, 1912-1915. Mainly written as secretary of the Tacoma Commercial Club and Chamber of Commerce, concerning Rainier National Park. Include
copy of letter to Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior.

Mather, Stephen Tyng, 1867-1930

24 letters, 1913-1928. Some written as Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior, In Charge of National Parks, relate to Sequoia National Park and
to Hetch-Hetchy. Include copy of letter to Adolph C. Miller.

Meek, B. B., 1883-

10 letters, 1928-1932. Some written as Director of the Department of Public Works of the State of California.

Merriam, Frank F., 1865-

1 letter, Apr. 29, 1937. Written on his behalf by his secretary.

Mills, Enos Abijah, 1870-1922

1 letter, May 20, 1915

Muir, John, 1838-1914

6 letters, 1907-1912

Mulholland, William, 1855-1935

1 letter, Oct. 8, 1919. Concerning the Marshall Plan.

Needham, James Carson, 1864-1942

5 letters, 1904-1908. Relate to Yosemite National Park. Include copy of letter to Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Secretary of the Interior.

Olmsted, Frederick Law, 1870-

1 letter, Nov. 16, 1928. Include copy of his statement re Kings River water power projects and proposed Roosevelt-Sequoia National Park.
See also: California. Department of Natural Resources. Division of Parks

Parton, Lemuel Frederick, d. 1943

1 letter, Feb. 9, 1931

Patterson, Thomas M., 1839-1916

2 letters, 1912-1915. Concern Rocky Mountain National Park.

Post, William Schuyler, 1872-1945

18 letters, 1927-1938. Include copies of letters to Fred C. Adams; J. C. Garrison; California Division of Water Rights; U.S. Office of Indian Affairs
and reply. Also copies of letters from Harold L. Ickes, Secretary of the Interior.

Progressive Voters' League of California

5 letters, 1924. Written by Herbert C. Jones, b. 1880.

Reaburn, Dewitt Lee, 1871-

2 letters, 1928-1949

Rockhold, John Ellsworth, 1871-

2 letters, 1929. Include copy of letter to Ray Lyman Wilbur. Also copy of letter from Wilbur to Rockhold.

Rocky Mountain National Park Joint Committee
see Ross, Frederick R.

Rogers, James Grafton, 1883-

6 letters, 1912-1931. Some written as President, Colorado Mountain Club.
See also Colorado Geographic Board.

Rolph, James, Jr., 1869-1934

2 letters, 1931-1933. Written in his behalf by his secretary.

Roper, Denney Warren, 1869-1949

2 letters, 1913

Ross, Frederick R.

9 letters, 1913-1915. Written as member of Rocky Mountain National Park Joint Committee, concerning Rocky Mountain National Park.

19 letters, 1904-1934. Include letters by Ethan Allan Hitchcock, Franklin Knight Lane and Ebert Keiser Burlew. Include copies of letters, some of
which refer to Yosemite boundary.
See also
Mather, Stephen Tyng
Post, William Schuyler